The Eldest Daughter Returns: Imperial Uncle, I'm Pregnant!

Since Gu Qingwan left, Master Huang began preparing for the tasks she had entrusted to him. After all, Gu Qingwan had only told him the general outline of the matter and the desired effect; he still needed to handle the other specific details himself, and he absolutely could not let others see any flaws.

He had experience going down the mountain to tell fortunes before, so this trip wasn't too difficult for him.

However, he is now somewhat famous, and he will definitely be recognized when he arrives at the inn. At that time, he will have a legitimate reason to come and will not be criticized for suddenly appearing in that place. The young lady said that he should find an inn nearby to stay, but after thinking about it, Master Huang still felt that it was not appropriate. Staying directly there would only make it seem like he was deliberately heading towards the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Early in the morning, Master Huang said to the boy, "I am going down the mountain to travel around. If anyone asks you, just tell them the truth."

"Where has Master gone? When will he return?"

"Uncertain, I'll just go wherever the road takes me."

After Master Huang descended the mountain, word spread throughout the capital that he rarely visited people's homes, but if one could invite him to their house for a consultation or to perform a ritual, the household would surely enjoy peace and tranquility for the entire year.

As a result, many people went to search for Master Huang's whereabouts.

Wang Ruyan naturally heard the news and asked Xue Niang to send someone out to see if Master Huang was in the capital recently.

"I heard that someone saw Master Huang giving alms near a shantytown in the capital. He should still be in the capital these days," Xue Niang said.

"That would be even better. Send more people to invite Master Huang to our home. Changfeng is getting bigger every year, but he's still not quite there yet. Master is gradually losing patience with him. And seeing that wretched concubine Rou's belly getting bigger, Doctor Wang told me last time that it's most likely a boy. I have to be prepared."

"What does that have to do with us inviting a Taoist priest?"

"Inviting the Taoist priest to our home serves two purposes. First, to let Changfeng check if the arrangement of the house is in any way that might clash with the imperial examinations, since the examinations are just around the corner. We want the Taoist priest to adjust the feng shui for Changfeng and give my son a helping hand. Second, we also want to find a way to make things difficult for that wretched woman, Aunt Rou, so that I, as his wife, can be pleased."

Recently, the tonics that have been flowing in from Aunt Rou's side have all been paid for by Wang Ruyan. Wang Ruyan is a very stingy person, so it's no wonder that she can't sleep at night because of the money she's spending.

"Don't worry, Madam, I'll send someone to take care of it right away. But Madam, Grand Tutor Xu and Madam Xu are coming to the mansion today. Should we inform Master first?"

Xue Niang was somewhat worried. Xu Taifu and Madam Xu had sent an invitation to visit today. Madam was busy at the time, and if she found Master Huang and brought him into the courtyard, what would happen if the master saw him and was displeased?

"Go ahead and look for him. Whether you can find him or not is still unknown. If you do find him, just take Master Huang to Changfeng's courtyard. Remember not to let the old lady know. That old woman is a Buddhist. If she finds out that we invited a true master, she'll make things difficult for me again."

Thinking of that old woman made Wang Ruyan unhappy. She always acted like a mother-in-law and suppressed her. She wished she had died sooner or been bedridden.

"Madam, it's almost time. Let's go to the main gate," Xue Niang said.

Wang Ruyan looked at her makeup and clothes in the bronze mirror. The snow cream that Jiao'er gave her recently was really good. After using it for a while, her skin became much smoother. She believed that the master would be tempted again after seeing her.

"Okay, let's go."

Wang Ruyan led her entourage to the main gate in a grand procession. It was a rare occasion for Madam Xu to visit the mansion, and there would be no harm in befriending her.

Upon reaching the second gate, Wang Ruyan needed to wait for the master. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xue Niang asked Wang Ruyan for permission to go and relay the lady's instructions to the Wang brothers.

When Xue Niang returned, the master had not yet arrived, but the maid who had been sent to fetch him returned: "Madam, the people in the study said that the master went to Concubine Rou's courtyard, and they have already sent someone to invite him."

"That bitch! Why is she always bothering Master!" Wang Ruyan wrung out her handkerchief; if she didn't control herself, her expression would become ferocious.

Since Consort Rou entered the mansion, the master no longer stays out overnight. He either rests in the study or in Consort Rou's courtyard. Even Consort Li, because that little concubine's daughter has won the old lady's favor, the master will often go to see her and occasionally have a meal with her. He will then go to Consort Rou's courtyard at night, but he just won't come to the main courtyard anymore.

Every time someone was sent to inquire, the master would always say that his daughter was in his own courtyard, and that it was somewhat inconvenient for the father to go over now that the child was grown up.

She couldn't just kick her own daughter out, so this limbo left Wang Ruyan feeling so uncomfortable that she couldn't eat and was starting to lose weight.

After waiting for so long, Wang Ruyan composed herself and stepped forward, saying, "Master has arrived."

Just then, Wang Ruyan noticed that Gu Ziming's clothes were a little messy and had some rouge stains. She concealed her emotions and took out a handkerchief to tidy up Gu Ziming's clothes.

Gu Ziming initially leaned back somewhat in resistance, but when he looked down and saw that the place Wang Ruyan had tidied for him was indeed a bit inappropriate, he coughed awkwardly twice.

Looking further ahead, he noticed that his wife looked younger than he had seen in a long time, with skin even better than that of Concubine Rou, appearing fair and smooth. He almost couldn't resist reaching out to touch her, but thankfully he came to his senses in time and realized that there were servants all around. However, his hand was already raised. Gu Ziming pretended to casually help Wang Ruyan straighten the hairpin in her hair.

Wang Ruyan chuckled softly. She knew Gu Ziming's nature. He looked like a proper scholar, but he was more lustful than anyone else. Otherwise, he wouldn't have accepted any concubines the old lady gave him. When he encountered someone unattractive, Gu Ziming would do everything he could to refuse. Lust is probably just a man's nature.

As the two walked to the main gate, Xu Taifu's carriage arrived just in time.

"Oh my, Grand Tutor Xu and Madam Xu, you've finally arrived!" Wang Ruyan hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

Madam Xu got out of the carriage and said, "I'm so sorry to have kept Lord Gu and his wife waiting."

"No, no, the timing is perfect, we just arrived too."

While the two ladies were exchanging pleasantries, the two officials were talking. Gu Ziming said, "Alright, Grand Tutor Xu, let's not stand outside anymore. Let's go inside and sit down."

"Haha, this is my first time visiting Prime Minister Gu's home. Everyone says that the scenery at the Prime Minister's residence is extraordinary. We'll be able to broaden our horizons."

"Grand Tutor, you flatter me. The tea is ready, please!"

After the men went inside, Wang Ruyan warmly led Madam Xu to the front courtyard flower hall to sit down. Tea, snacks, and other refreshments had already been prepared in the flower hall.

"Good tea, this is Lushan Yunwu tea, isn't it?" Grand Tutor Xu asked, sipping his tea.

"The Grand Tutor's tongue is truly eloquent."

"No, this Lushan Yunwu tea has always been famous for its mellow taste, beautiful color, fragrant aroma and clear soup. There is even a poem that praises it: 'Lushan Yunwu tea, strong taste and spicy nature, if you drink it for a long time, it will prolong your life.'"

"Grand Tutor, your knowledge is so profound that I am ashamed to admit my inferiority," Gu Ziming said.

"Your Excellency is too modest. Who doesn't know the dignified bearing of the top scholar Gu Langda back then? Riding a tall horse to marry the old Duke's beloved daughter, he was the envy of countless people," Grand Tutor Xu said with a smile, stroking his beard.

The atmosphere in the flower hall suddenly became tense. Madam Xu secretly pinched Xu Taifu's arm. He really knew how to bring up the sore spot. Who was Madam Gu back then? And who is Madam Gu in front of her? If it were the Madam Gu of the past, she would have been a thousand times more willing to associate with her. But this one in front of her... if it weren't for Miss Gu, she wouldn't have come to her door in person.

"What nonsense is the master spouting now? Perhaps he's still a bit drunk from last night? Please, Master Gu and Madam, don't take it to heart."

Wang Ruyan seemed to be used to it, but the unusually wrinkled handkerchief in her hand betrayed her current state of mind. She pretended not to care and said, "What Xu Taifu said is not wrong. Back then, my father was in high spirits when he became the top scholar in the imperial examination. My sister was also a rare beauty in the capital. It was indeed enviable. It's just that my sister was short-lived and left us so early."

Madam Xu lowered her head and took a sip of tea. Just then, Gu Changfeng and Gu Hanjiao came in to pay their respects, which eased the awkward atmosphere.

"Hanjiao greets Grand Tutor Xu and Madam Xu." Gu Hanjiao had already received a notice from her mother that Madam Xu was coming to visit today, and she was told to make a good impression. Grand Tutor Xu was the Crown Prince's teacher, and Madam Xu had been a companion to the princess in the palace when she was young. Her manners and etiquette were impeccable. When young women in the capital came of age, they would try their best to invite Madam Xu to preside over the ceremony. If she could give them a compliment, they would have a good reputation among the noble ladies in the future.

"Oh, this must be the second young lady. She's so beautiful and charming." As she spoke, the maid behind Madam Xu stepped forward and took out an exquisite purse and a wooden box. Inside the wooden box lay a silver agate hairpin.

"Madam, this..."

"Take this. It's our first meeting, and I didn't know what to give as a gift. Here's a bag of melon seeds for you to buy some snacks. I don't have any children, so my taste is definitely not as good as Madam Gu's. Please don't find it offensive, Miss."

"How could that be? Han Jiao thanks Madam Xu for the gift." Chunlu, who was beside Gu Han Jiao, stepped forward to accept it.

Lord Xu stroked his beard, looked at Gu Changfeng, and asked, "This young master is quite robust, unlike Lord Gu's refined and scholarly demeanor."

"Hahaha, what kind of life do they live? I certainly couldn't compare to them when I was a child. Aren't you going to pay your respects to Grand Tutor Xu?"

"This humble one, Changfeng, greets Grand Tutor Xu." Gu Changfeng was very reluctant to come. He had heard that Grand Tutor Xu was the Crown Prince's tutor and that his knowledge was even better than his father's. Gu Changfeng was afraid that Grand Tutor Xu would suddenly test his knowledge. But what he feared came to pass, and he heard Grand Tutor Xu speak.

"Very well, Lord Gu has students all over the world. Since he is Lord Gu's only son, then this old man will test the young master and make things difficult for Prime Minister Gu."

"Haha, to receive guidance from Grand Tutor Xu is truly my son's greatest honor." Seeing Gu Changfeng still standing there blankly, Gu Ziming was somewhat displeased. If his scholarship were recognized by Grand Tutor Xu, it would be extremely beneficial for his future path in the imperial examinations. "Aren't you coming over here yet!"

"Yes... Father..." Gu Changfeng's palms were ice-cold, he couldn't hear anything clearly, his ears were ringing, and he kept thinking about what he should do if he couldn't answer.

Xu Taifu posed a question that was neither difficult nor easy, but after waiting for a long time, Gu Changfeng stood there like a soulless man with empty eyes, ignoring everyone. Xu Taifu was a little unhappy and repeated the question, but Gu Changfeng still did not respond. Xu Taifu thought to himself, "This kid is too arrogant."

Gu Ziming asked with a dark expression, "The Grand Tutor is asking you a question. Do you know the answer or not? Speak up!"

Gu Hanjiao couldn't stand it any longer and reached out to pull Gu Changfeng. Gu Changfeng, covered in cold sweat, came back to his senses and asked, "What? Father, what did you say?"

Seeing that the people sitting there were not very happy, Gu Hanjiao stepped forward and said, "Brother has not been feeling well these past two days, so why don't you answer the Grand Tutor's questions?"

Grand Tutor Xu said with a displeased look, "No need. I suppose the question I set was too childish, and the eldest son simply didn't want to answer it. Someone, bring the things to the eldest son."

At this moment, a servant brought over an inkstone. Gu Changfeng reached out and took it, repeatedly expressing his gratitude: "Thank you, Grand Tutor. Just now I...I...Please give me another chance, Grand Tutor. I will definitely answer properly."

Grand Tutor Xu is a man with a very strong temper. He is the one who never gives face to others. When has he ever been disrespected by a mere brat? Even the Crown Prince doesn't dare not answer his questions. This Gu Changfeng, on the other hand, is acting even more arrogant than the Crown Prince?

Seeing that her husband was unhappy and about to ruin things, Madam Xu quickly stepped forward to change the subject, saying, "Both the eldest son and the second young lady are outstanding individuals. It seems that your drunkenness hasn't worn off yet, sir. Didn't you say the tea was delicious? You should drink more tea. We haven't congratulated the second young lady on her upcoming wedding yet."

Lord Xu remained silent, fuming, and focused solely on drinking and savoring his tea.

"Thank you, Madam," Gu Hanjiao said shyly.

"Alas, it's all because of my children. My two unfilial children have made the Grand Tutor and his wife laugh at me." Gu Ziming finished speaking and glared at Gu Changfeng, who was standing there with his head down. "Get down here right now, you're making a fool of yourself!"

Upon hearing that he could leave, Gu Changfeng quickly packed his belongings and took his leave.

Madam Xu's eyes darted around, and she gently waved her fan as she said, "Oh dear, Master Gu is too strict with his children. By the way, where is the eldest young lady? She helped me out last time, which allowed me to get home before the rain started. I haven't had a chance to properly thank her yet."